Abstract: A humorous but well documented article on the dangers of New Era such as Chi kung and Yoga, and the irrelevance of following the horoscope.

Christians are mixing Christianity with New Era for the supposed health benefits. For example, they go to Church on Sunday, and take Chi Kung classes on Tuesday nights. Chi Kung, also known as QiQong, can make people develop extra-sensory perception such as feeling people move in a room even if the practitioner cannot see or hear them. How interesting, imagine feeling your neighbor clip his nose hairs as you eat dinner or as you’re trying to balance your checkbook, you spontaneously apprehending the presence of someone dead by direct and vivid contact. Chi Kung can change your life, it can give you schizophrenia. It might heal you of one thing at first, but later give you something worse.

Still others are practicing yoga. Some exercises are healthy but many are poses designed to worship different deities. One woman who practiced yoga and chanting certain syllables, like a long sonorous “Ooohm”, later she became a Christian. She was told by other Christians that those syllables were the names of demons and decided to practice “Christian Yoga”. After that, she tried doing the same exercises but she would chant, “Jeesuus, Jeesuus” instead of “Ooohm, Ooohm.” Suddenly an invisible force hit her clear across the room. Then she said, “Ouch, ouch.” Demons don’t like the worship of Jesus. It’s hard to know what part of Yoga is acceptable to Christianity.

Christians who practice yoga say it lowers their blood pressure. Sure it does- I tried the lotus position and my circulation stopped. People think the lotus, a pretzel-like position of the legs, is designed to clear energy blockages in the chakras. But a Japanese source says they do the lotus because when they meditate they begin to vibrate and the lotus keeps them from falling over. My source says that Asians have supple joints and can sit in the lotus for hours but when Westerners do the lotus, they get cramps. Practitioners of yoga do whatever their teacher tells them without knowing what it really means.

Some Christians follow the horoscope. They say the Three Magi in the Bible found baby Jesus by following the stars. But the Magi went to Herod first, and Herod as a result killed every baby boy under the age of two. The problem with astrology is not that it may be wrong, but that it may not be specific enough. Picture this: my neighbor reads her horoscope which says, “You will be surprised by the amount of unexpected money you will be given.” So she rushes out and buys lottery tickets. When she gets home, there is a note in her mail box with a $5 bill that says, “Here’s my allowance, sorry I broke your window.” The next day, the horoscope said, “You will run into an intense stranger that will make your heart beat faster.” She didn’t know whether to dress up and go dancing or install an alarm and hide in her closet.

A tenth planet known as 2003 UB13 has been discovered but they astrologers don’t know how it will influence the signs because the astronomers haven’t named it yet. Instead of charting a planet, “Astrologers are very eager to learn the planet’s name because in their business, a celestial objects’ name is essential to its interpretation.” The astronomer who discovered the tenth planet has been known for naming other planetary discoveries playful names like “Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Flying Dutchman.” I wonder if your sign is influenced by Santa you could go into credit card debt to buy presents for people you don’t like. There is a rumor that Scorpios who are influenced by the sign are lobbying for the planet to be named “Dollar”, while Libras, for whom the planet retrogrades and has an opposite effect, are vying for the name “Bad Luck”.

Sometimes the horoscope doesn’t even predict the future, it gives advice. Some samples are, “Leo, Jupiter is in your house of fortune. Don’t take no for an answer today,” while another reading for the same day for Leo in another newspaper says something like, “Be considerate of a sensitive Pisces who lacks assertiveness.”

One preacher doesn’t even argue if Astrology is wrong about its predictions. He just says the Bible forbids divination. There are better ways to influence your life. There is a psychologist that says the best way to now the future is to set goals and work to fulfill them. To spend a relaxed moment, you can try prayer and worship of God instead of meditation.

References:

Perhacs, Thomas A. “15 Secret Abilities of Chi Power & ESP” Mind Power News online magazine. May 9, 2010.

Guang, Hsiao. Breaking Through the Barriers of Darkness: Recognizing the Cult of Qigong for What It Is. Internet. China for Jesus, accessed May 9, 2010. http://www.chinaforjesus.com/resources/qigong/index.htm

Rosenbloom, Stephanie. “Today’s Horoscope: Now Unsure.” New York Times Online. Originally published in August 28, 2005. Internet. Accessed online May 9, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/28/fashion/sundaystyles/28ASTRO.html

Author Bio: The author has been an Evangelical Christian for many years. Contact Author Her page is How to Pray

Category: Religion
Keywords: Chi Kung, QiQong, astrology, yoga